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WHEN GOD ANSWERS NO
Deuteronomy 3:23-26
December 12, 2018 - Wed. p.m.
There is a great opportunity when God says NO.
God answers our prayers in yes, no, and not now.
If we will be honest to ourselves we all can say that most of our prayers get an answer of NO.
God said NO to some of the great men of God in the Bible therefore you are with the great company of godly people.
What can and should we learn when God says NO:
I- OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE YOUR LOVE FOR GOD Moses was called a friend of God. God can says “No” directly even to His beloved friend. In Deuteronomy 3:23-26, it is clear that God heard enough the prayer of his friend Moses to let him go over and see the good land and goodly mountain, but seems it is no way for Moses to pester God. God strongly don’t want to hear more about that request. God answers NO. In Numbers 20:7-13, Moses followed God’s instructions but disobeyed God when he lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock twice instead of just speak to the rock to give forth his water. The Lord said Moses did not believe God to sanctify Him in the eyes of the children of Israel. As a consequence the Lord declared that Moses would not be the one to bring the congregation into the Promised Land that God had given the children of Israel. Therefore Moses would not enter the Promised Land because he struck the rock. In Exodus 32:7-14, Moses had convinced God to change His mind before. Moses prayed to the Lord to turn from His fierce wrath and repent of the evil against the stiffnecked people of God. And the Lord repented and did not do the evil which He thought to do unto the corrupted children of Israel. Hence, I imagine in Deuteronomy 3:23-26 that Moses began to pray for God to let him enter the Promised Land probably hoping that God would change His mind like before. In Numbers 11:11-15, Moses had a great God given responsibilities to the congregation of the children of Israel.
In Numbers 27:12-23, Moses had no problem being straight up with God. When God said NO to Moses prayer, Moses did not pout, get mad, quit or complain. Moses had compassion on the children of Israel. Moses obeyed accordingly all God’s commands to take Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest then laid his hand and give his charge to Joshua before the sight of all the congregation. In Deuteronomy 3:27-28, God had said to Moses to charge Joshua, encourage and strengthen him to be his substitute to lead the people of Israel to enter the promised land that God had given them because Moses is not allowed to enter the land. And Moses proved his love to God, he obeyed what God told him, Moses charge Joshua, encourage and straighten him. Moses prove his love for God.
God says NO, that’s a great opportunity for us to prove our love for God as Moses did.
The real colors of yourself shown when God answers NO. Get better not bitter.
II- OPPORTUNITY TO WORSHIP GOD WITH THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE In 2 Samuel 12:13-19 covered the prayer of David after David’s sin toward the death of Uriah and committed adultery with Bathsheba the wife of Uriah. David acknowledged he sinned against the Lord. Hence, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David and the child was severely sick. Therefore, David fervently prayed to God for healing and recovery of the child, he even fasted and lay all night upon the earth. David would not want to be raised up by the elders from the earth neither eat with them. The child died after seventh day. God answers David’s prayer with NO. The feeling of shame and guilt David experienced because he is the sole reason for the death of that child. Can you picture how intense and hard as David prayed for that baby. But says NO. In 2 Samuel 12:20 contained the action of David when he learned that the baby is dead and God answers No to his prayer. David arose from the earth, washed and changed his garment and immediately went into the house of the Lord and for worshipped God. David worshipped God. Since God is a righteous God all His answers is always right. The Bible says in Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” and in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Like David when God answers NO we have great opportunity to worship God instead of murmuring and complaining and have no interest to go the house of God. III- OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE GRACE OF GOD In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, here we all knew that Paul had a unique relationship with God and prayed to God powerfully three times but the Apostle received a NO answer with much better the grace of God. According to the passage, in spite of thorn in his flesh, Paul found strength, glory, power, and pleasure. Remember, when God says no, it is always right because God is righteous God. God told Paul NO. In Hebrews 4:6 says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Paul the chosen vessel got NO.
Paul experienced the Grace of God
If all we got is yes, we have no opportunity to experience God’s grace.
When God says NO, it is a great opportunity to experience the Grace of God.
IV- OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Imagine Jesus has been falsely accused, dying on a cross for other’s sins. In Matthew 26:36-44, Jesus prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt”. And the second time saying “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” And prayed the third time saying the same words. The heavenly Father says to His own Son NO. To all the saved people, let us thank God for that answer! Jesus the beloved Son took a NO, so that we could have a divine relationship with God. Through Jesus we have a relationship with God The Bible tells us in Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” For most of us, that is the Greatest Gift of all. For the lost people, that is the greatest opportunity to have a relationship with God. When God says NO, His answer is right always because He is a righteous God. Conclusion:
Did God told you NO? If so:
You have an opportunity to prove your love for God
You have an opportunity to worship God with thanksgiving and praise
You have an opportunity to experience the grace of God
You have an opportunity to have that relationship with God.
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